A Casualty of Power by Mukuka Chipanta

‘He boarded the inter-city bus and set off on the six-hour journey to Lusaka – Christopher Columbus en route to discover a new world.’

Hamoonga Moya’s journey would take him a long way from the township of his youth on the Zambian Copperbelt. Life in the capital brought him new friends, and new ideas, and his journalism studies introduced him to ethical dilemmas. Should we take sides when looking at the social impact of the Chinese-owned mines? Who should we blame for the impoverishment of our citizens – the new owners, or the government that made the sale? Is a stadium worth more than a hospital?

Outside the classroom, Hamoonga’s life, and his hope for the future, were soon entangled in a web of greed, international crime, and betrayal. Only in the end will he know who his true friends are.

'With wit and keen observation, A Casualty of Power explores how two worlds collide as modern day Africa embraces Chinese overseas expansion. Mukuka Chipanta's debut novel is wonderfully thought provoking, sombre and dark in places and yet laced throughout with hope.’ Ekow Duker, author of Dying in New York and White Wahala.

'In A Casualty of Power, Mukuka Chipanta explores, in an honest and unapologetic way, subjects that societies often prefer to keep buried. This is a pacy, emotive and enjoyable novel that will keep the reader engaged until the last page.' Ellen Banda-Aaku, Penguin Prize Winning Author for African Writing.